▷ What Night Of Hanukkah Is It?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an important event celebrated by Jews worldwide. It is an eight-day holiday starting on the 25th day of Kislev, which usually falls in the month of November or December in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Sunday, December 2, 2018. Have you ever wondered, for how many nights do you celebrate Hanukkah? To answer this question, let’s take a look at what day of Hanukkah it is.

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1 What Night of Hanukkah Is It?

What Night of Hanukkah Is It?

Hanukkah is an eight-day period of celebration, with each night corresponding to one of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The first night will always start on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and will end on the second day of Tevet. On the fourth night of Hanukkah, the Hebrew calendar will correspond to the first night in the Gregorian calendar.

How Does the Number of Days Change?

The number of days in each Hanukkah festival is determined by the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunar-based calendar. As such, the number of days is affected by the particular month in which the festival falls. In some years, Hanukkah may be celebrated for as many as nine days, while in other years it may be celebrated for only seven days.

What is the Meaning of Each Day?

Each night of Hanukkah is a meaningful celebration that marks different events during the Jewish revolt against the Syrian-Greeks. On the first night, the miracle of the oil happening is remembered. On the second night, the dedication of the newly built altar is remembered. On the third night, the re-dedication of the Second Temple is remembered. The fourth night is the Maccabean victory over the Syrian-Greeks. Following this, each night comes with its own special meanings and observances.

What is the Traditional Hanukkah Celebration?

Hanukkah is traditionally celebrated in the following ways:

Lighting the Menorah: The Menorah is the traditional nine-branched candelabrum that is lit each night to signify the special miracles that happened during the time of the revolt. It usually contains eight candles, each representing one of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Playing Dreidel: Dreidel is a traditional four-sided spinning top that is used in a game of chance. Players spin the dreidel and depending on the outcome, players either win or lose, according to the matching Hebrew letters.
Eating Latkes: Latkes are delicious potato pancakes that are fried in oil. Eating latkes is a reminder of the miracle of the oil that happened back in 165 BCE.

Hanukkah is an important time in the Jewish culture. Celebrating each of the eight nights of Hanukkah marks special events and miracles that have helped shape the lives of Jews today. Understanding the particular night that each Hanukkah is can help make the festival even more meaningful. With the right knowledge and understanding, each night can be celebrated with deeper and greater appreciation.

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Last update 2023-11-26. Price and product availability may change.